2019 Meritage Benchland/ Dry Creek Valley/ Dry Creek Vineyard/ Feature with Don Wallace

Dry Creek Valley has been one of my favorite grape growing regions since my arrival in California. The wines are world class,and Dry Creek Vineyard has led the way over the course of many decades.Our feature today is the 2019 Benchland Meritage from Dry Creek Vineyard. We will look at the winemaker's tasting notes,and other great information on their website. drycreekvineyard.com Winemaker Notes: This exquisite Meritage was inspired by our decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards within Dry Creek Valley. This delicious blend features fruit from specific vineyard sites in Dry Creek Valley that highlight the unique soils, microclimate and terroir of our home appellation. This 2019 vintage is a full and complex wine that’s an absolute pleasure to drink. Aromas of black currant, black cherry and plum waft from the glass. As the wine opens up, it reveals aromas of toasty cedar, fennel and nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is plush with fine tannins and full of luxuriant flavors of blueberry, mocha, fine leather and thyme. The finish is seamless and well-integrated. This wine will age beautifully and develop in the bottle for years to come. BLEND: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec FERMENTATION: 10–17 days in fermenters at 82–88˚F; pumped over twice daily BARREL AGING: 20 months in Hungarian and French oak; 35% new oak HARVEST DATE: October 9–22, 2019 SOIL: Sandy and clay loam VINE AGE: 1–2 tons per acre Explore Our Vineyards Our family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley for nearly five decades, driven by the desire to produce appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines. We believe in crafting our wines in the vineyard, with healthy soil and flourishing vines, so there is minimal intervention when the fruit is brought to the winery. Primarily known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, our home appellation has become an undiscovered gem for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals. We are proud that our 185 acres of estate vineyards are 100% certified sustainable. We walk the land, replenish the soil naturally, and make multiple pruning passes throughout the growing season to ensure that our grapes are balanced and delicious when they reach their peak ripeness. Using the sun as our guide and Mother Nature as our partner, we carefully manage our vineyards to ensure the highest standards of quality for each vintage. We have a great audio feature with Don Wallace! Please click on the link at the bottom of this page and join us. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .